The Work and Travel USA is a
program run by the United States government. It is a program of international
cultural exchange, which gives opportunities to students of different countries
of the world to go to USA in the summer season for working and traveling. Under
this program, international students can legally enter the US for 4 months
during their vacations and work for US employers. This program is beneficial
both for US-based businesses who use seasonal staffing to cover their rising
work force needs during the busy month, and for students who get a perspective
on American culture, travel, and earn money. Thousands of overseas students have
been enrolled in this program since it was started. The primary purpose of the
program of Work and of Travel is acquaintance with a culture and life of modern
America and distribution of own culture among inhabitants of
USA.

The program founder and, also,
its main program supervisor is The USA Department of State, who determines the
necessary amount of students who have a right to take part in the program
annually, the rules and regulations in each aspect in running this
program.

Work and Travel USA is an
opportunity not only to explore the USA, but also to earn money, make new
friends, practice English, and experience what it’s really like to be part of a
new culture.

2.
What are the program requirements?Apart from the requirements of
the J1 Visa itself, the Work and Travel USA program has standards of its own. It
is meant only for full time university students aged between 18 to 28, with
intermediate or better English.

3.
What is the program duration?Typically the exchange program lasts
for 4 months starting from May, during the official vacations students have in
their home country. International exchange students can work for 4 months, and
then they have the 30-day ‘grace period’ for leaving the States. They are not
allowed to work during this period. The exact program dates are indicated in the
document known as DS-2019, which your seasonal employee is required to keep at
all times.

4.
What exactly happens when students apply for the program?Those who
wish to participate submit their applications to one of the exchange
organizations accredited by the US government, known as program sponsors.
Sponsors check that the candidates meet the eligibility criteria, conduct
interviews to choose positions best suitable for a participant’s background and
experience, and test English proficiency. Also, orientation session is provided
to candidates, giving all the details about their future employment, housing,
costs, American way of living, and so on. Sponsors also make sure all the papers
including the DS-2019 form and medical insurance are in proper
order.

5.
Forbidden jobsAny job that is unpaidSales jobs requiring the
participant to invest his/her own monies to pre-purchase inventoryDomestic
help positions in private U.S. households – e.g. au pair, servant, gardener or
chauffeurJobs in the adult entertainment industryJobs that are
substantially commission-based and thus do not guarantee minimum
wageoperators of pedicabs, rolling chairs, other passenger carrying vehicles
for hire, and/or vehicles requiring a commercial driver’s licenseJobs
providing clinical care, medical services or involving patient contact, hands on
therapy, counseling, administering treatment or making diagnoses of medical,
psychiatric or psychological patients, or veterinary work involving hands-on
care.As ship or aircraft crew members, or as pilots, except as crew members
on ships that travel only within domestic U.S. watersTeacher, teaching
assistant or coachCamp counselorJobs through staffing/employment
agencies